William Lee

Mrs. McKay

IB English Language Arts SL

5/18/21

End of Year Reflection

Over the course of the school year, we as students have learned and developed in many

different aspects, specifically in aspects relating to social, ethical, and individual issues. Some of

the most important things that we learned during the school year are the societal issues such as

sexism and gender inequality, as well as how and why these issues persist today. We also

developed skills relating to the analysis and discussion of these issues. This class has allowed us

as students to develop our intuitive skills and mental flexibility. Some of my favorite experiences

are probably the essays that we write and the analysis/connections made when viewing literal

and nonliteral texts. These skills are highly valuable, because in the future we are able to analyze

situations in both an emotional context and social context. Emotionally, since we are able to

critically think and be able to participate in metacognition, we are able to control ourselves

emotionally and understand ourselves more. I believe that some of the most valuable things we

learned from this class are from the issues and discussions that came from the books that we

read.

Reading 1984, I learned about the true power of the freedom of speech as well as the

dangers of a government that has too much control over the people. The main character, Winston

Smith, shows the effects of a dystopian and dictatorial government on the individual. His secret

relationship with his lover Julia is a prime example of the requirement of free will in the human

mind.
 Reading Their Eyes Were Watching God, I learned the importance of gender and its role

in society. In retrospect I believe that this was around the period of time where I began to grow

both personally and politically. Discussions for gender were particularly strange for me, as I

realized that many of us had gender expectations placed on us. However, very few of us

discussed gender roles in society very often and that openness relating to these discussions was a

very unique and special experience for me.

Of all the books we read, my favorite was Educated and the discussions that followed up

with it. The discussions, like the ones from Their Eyes Were Watching God, were very unique in

that a very large portion of the class was open and discussed various points of view. I liked

seeing my classmates discussing their goals and aspirations and it was comforting to both relate

to them as well as see them disagree about certain topics. In terms of growth and development in

skill, I think I have drastically improved in my ability to write essays and my durability when

writing them. The discussions and assignments in class have helped start thinking more

critically.

I am proud of completing and writing so many essays and scoring well on most of them.

Near the beginning of the year, my ability to write essays was somewhat subpar, but by the end

of the year I am able to write synthesis essays, rhetorical essays, and argumentative essays. This

is a skill that can definitely be used in the future, and I plan to continue to improve and grow in

the following years. There were many things regarding essays that I previously did not know,

such as a rhetorical analysis essay or a synthesis essay. Although I still do not like synthesis

essays, I’m sure that over time I will like it more.

Taking IB English Language Arts was the right choice for me this year. I have greatly

developed as a student, a friend, and a person in general and much of it can be contributed to the
various discussions and activities in the class. Without this class I believe that I would not be as

interested as I am in social justice and writing essays.